Slacky in Bushlove Gloryfest

After a thoroughly crap 3 weeks of recovery from being hideously sick in Auckland, I headed up to Wanga-Vegas for the NZ Masters Games, for 2 things, A bit of a lark, and a return to downhill, however basic it might be.

the Xc was a by-product, but it did provide me with a good chance to see how my body had recovered fully, or even IF it had.

I rocked up to the Games village about 12 on the sat and paid my monies and got my free stuff (w00t). Then headed out to the track for a looksee. 

Got to catch up with some other old-skoolers such as the Rhino racing boys and Stinky. Vinnee was there also and Lukee Simmonds turned up late, as he thought it was next weekend.

I pretty much decided to mainly check out the DH course, and did so. WAs nice and short, albeit with a yucky uphill in it. Nothing hard, but some really fun bits. Found out that it was really really easy to overshoot the bigger jump at the halfway point, and it was well faster doing the small one. Decided to do a lap of the XC track to scope it a wee bit, as the Dh course I had nailed and sorted pretty quickly.

The XC track was super fun, no long climbs (bonus for me),

fun singletrack descents (more bonus for me, and short, at only 18 mins a lap.

I had to go out and do another lap, as I'd lost my favourite water bottle, so 2 laps in the cracking heat, but I still felt pretty darn good.

Went into town for a feed, and luckily Coxie had reconemended Stell*r for a good steak. He's right, it was the bomb. After feeding my face, I headed back out there, to sleep in the Van for the night and pretty up by bikes for the raceday.

Come the race, and I was fizzing to go. XC race was in the morning, and it was pretty darn warm.

Not to worry, my new Burkes tinelli kit breathes pretty well. Took off and settled in behind wiley old skooler Steve Pedley. My plan was to sit behind whoever was fast for the first 2 laps and then have a crack after that. That plan lasted till the 2nd climb. Tho coach might be happy to know that I didn't go full wally, I kept a small amount in reserve. Cannondale Carl sat in behind me, and we set off in a C/dale freight train. Quickly put a gap on Steve, and set about racing. I'd get a small gap on the downs, and carl would close it back up on the climbs. I kept looking at my HR and it was pretty high, so I ignored it, cos I was feeling pretty good and comfy. At the end of the second lap, Carl stopped for a bottle and I got a wee gap. I ran with it and put my head down, going for the plan of outa sight, outa mind. Luckily it stuck and I picked up the hurt a bit and eked the gap out. On the last lap I knew I had a decent gap, and could afford to ease up a bit. but I thought my body and mind needed a good hammerfest, so I kept the pin in and kept the hammer down. Finished feeling like I could have kept the pace for another lap too. That felt really good.

Sat down after and feed my face with lots of real mens race food like sausages and bread and pies, and .......ahhh actually no, I had a salad, with tuna. Starch free sucks ass!!!

Drank lots tho, cos it was pretty darn hot.

Got changed outa my jeyboi lycra and into my Raceface pants, and Sam Hill FanBoi shoes for the DH and walked up the DH (oh yeah, it's that old skool). The old legs were feeling a bit wobbly and empty, but I was feeling pretty confident, and to be honest, not really that fussed. I knew I'd prolly have it anyway. Race run went ok, wussed out at the entrance into the chute up the top, and brakechecked. Mentally ticked myself of, so I pedalled down the chute to make up for it. Grovelled up the climb, and rode the rest in control, clean and smooth was always my moto in the good old days, and I still tend to adhere to that. Mainly cos I'm such a big pussy.

Pretty shagged by the finish tho, but at elast it gave Jean a chjance to mock someone.......me. Bit disapointed there was no photographers for my sick jump (snigger)at the end.

2nd run  was up and the can of relentless that I drank on the way up wasn't fully empty, so after I crushed it and put it in my pocket like a tidy kiwi, I got a wet botty. Excited by this, I was amped up a bit more (that or the caffine/taurine/million other cancer causing chemicals). I had scoped out the run in to the chute inbetween runs, so managed to will myself not to brakecheck this time. the rest of the run was much the same as the first. Very similar to the old days, where my runs were quite often very close in time. Jean informed me that I had gotten another gold, and I must say I was pretty happy. I had expected it, but it's mountainbiking and anything can happen.

So in all, I had a ball, got a few Gold Medals, rained glorious Victory upon Bushlove (as the rest of the team hasn't been pulling their weight recently outside of Mono at the 1st 2 rounds of nats) and caught up with some old mates.

I don't think I'll go down to Dunners next year, but when it comes back to Wanga-Vegas I'll be back for more at the MAsters games. I might even give a few other events a crack just for fun. Stinky reckons Social Pairs Petanque is the go for being able to hold a beer in one hand and play a game all day long. I urge all crusty old barstards and bastardettes, regardless of skill levels (cos they have rec, sport and expert grades) to give it a crack if you get a chance. Very low pressure way to give Downhill racing a crack.